Each edition, we look behind the scenes at one of Leicestershire’s business leaders. This time, it’s Carrie Short, Franchise Director of Hunters Estate Agents (Stoneygate).
What is your background?
I started my career in 2005 working for a solicitor firm specialising in commercial conveyancing, but wanted something more customer facing. I then got a job as an administrator in another branch of Hunters in 2009 and worked my way to become office manager. During that time I got myself a BSc (Hons) Psychology through the open university and I have completed the HNQ (Hunters National Qualification) Sales Diploma. This is endorsed by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA). I took on the Hunters franchise for Stoneygate in June 2016.
What does your role consist of?
My role is very varied. I see myself as an advisor, as we advise our clients on every aspect of the sales and lettings process, and we also ensure that our landlords are fully compliant with the hundreds of pieces of legislation there are to rent out a property.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
I feel privileged that I am invited into people’s homes to offer them the best advice I can for a person’s biggest asset. I also feel honoured to be a part of people’s lives and to hear the stories of their lives.
What are you most proud of in the last year?
I am proud to have opened my own branch of Hunters. It is more than just owning my own estate agency though; Hunters has the very ethos that is the reason I do the work that I do: to help people, and to look after people’s biggest investments. Hunters don’t aim to be the biggest estate agent in the country, but we want to be the favourite.
What is the biggest challenge that you face?
It is a very tough market. Stock levels (properties coming to market) are at an all-time low and the general public are constantly nervous about putting their property on the market for fear that they won’t find somewhere. It’s a challenge to get the message out to people that buyers are prepared to wait, sometimes for months, for people to find somewhere else to move to because they know that it is the only way for them to secure the home of their dreams.
Are there any dissatisfactions to your role?
The sales process in this country is strange and stressful, and not many people realise that the estate agent has little to no power over the legal aspect, but we get the brunt of their frustration. I get upset by this because I want to help people, but sometimes I am physically unable to.
What are your top 3 tips to running a business?
Surround yourself with supportive people; be prepared to work hard – and then work harder and always be prepared to learn. No matter how long you do a job, you never will know everything.
Hunters Estate Agency (Stoneygate) is at 7 Allandale Road, Stoneygate, Leicester, LE2 2DA .
Tel 0116 272 7154.
www.hunters.com
